Trump admin bans new Chinese humanoid robots and power inverters

The United States has moved to block new imports of Chinese humanoid robots and connected power inverters, as reported by outlets including the Independent and Aol. The Federal Communications Commission unveiled the restrictions on Tuesday. The measures apply to unreleased models of humanoid and quadruped robots, alongside connected power inverters that link renewable energy sources and batteries to electrical grids and data center equipment. Officials state the policy aims to safeguard the domestic artificial intelligence supply chain from cyberattacks, data theft, and potential disruptions while encouraging domestic manufacturing.

According to the Aol report, the measures took effect upon publication. An administration official speaking anonymously to the Independent emphasized the administration's wider goals:

"The President has made clear that the United States must have Independent and secure supply chains for critical and emerging technologies like robotic devices and power inverters."

Unnamed administration official, via Independent

The official added that economic security is national security as part of an agenda to reindustrialize America. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr stated in a press release covered by Aol that the agency will continue working to secure critical supply chains against vulnerabilities that could threaten infrastructure. The FCC noted that the targeted devices could create supply chain vulnerabilities, disrupt economic and national security, and pose cybersecurity risks to American critical infrastructure.

The restrictions are expected to heavily impact prominent Chinese manufacturers. Independent notes that Unitree, which holds a substantial share of the global humanoid robot market, will face direct impacts from the robot ban. Unitree was recently added to the Pentagon's list of alleged Chinese military-backed companies. Despite the firm partnering with Nvidia to use cutting-edge Blackwell chips—with assurances that data remains in the U.S. And that primary customers are academic institutions—China hawks harbor concerns that the machines could be used to spy on critical industries, exfiltrate data, or be remotely commandeerable by foreign intelligence services.

In the power inverter sector, China remains the world's largest producer, led by Sungrow Power Supply and Huawei. Huawei is already heavily sanctioned by the U.S. Independent and Aol report that the inverter ban was influenced by recent European actions and growing anxieties over malware and potential disruptions, mirroring the 2023 Volt Typhoon hacking campaign where privately owned routers were hijacked to conceal attacks on American critical infrastructure. The U.S. Department of Defense is already prohibited from procuring solar equipment from foreign entities of concern.

Political figures have praised the decision. U.S. Representative John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican chairing the House Select Committee on China, stated via Aol that the FCC action protects the country and strengthens the domestic robotics industry.

Conversely, Beijing strongly condemned the move. The Chinese embassy in Washington urged the United States to heed objective business voices, stop smearing Chinese companies, and halt threats of sanctions, warning that China will take all necessary measures in response to any actions causing material harm to its interests.

Key Details of the New Import Restrictions

• Targeted Technologies: New models of humanoid and quadruped robots, alongside connected power inverters.
• Scope: Applies immediately to unreleased models upon publication, though the FCC retains authority to revoke authorizations for already-approved models.
• Exemptions: Many non-Chinese suppliers are expected to be exempted, mirroring past drone and router policies.
• Key Companies Affected: Unitree, Sungrow, and Huawei.

Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has previously warned that Chinese AI firms could face U.S. Sanctions over intellectual property theft, while officials remain eager to avoid repeating vulnerabilities seen in rare earth minerals markets where foreign dominance was leveraged for international gain. As the situation develops, observers will monitor whether the FCC exercises its authority to revoke existing authorizations and how Beijing implements its promised countermeasures.